WHAT (Richmond, Virginia) – Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones and The Honorable Delores L. McQuinn, Chairman, Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission, Delegate, Virginia House of Delegates 70th District, issued the following joint statement today regarding the change of date of the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission and the City of Richmond event entitled “An Emancipation Celebration & Unveiling of the Richmond Slave Trail Markers”. The event is being moved from Sunday, April 3rd to Sunday, April 10, 2011 due to Virginia Commonwealth University playing in the Final Four basketball game this weekend.

“We are all thrilled that Virginia Commonwealth University has made it to the Final Four and look forward to cheering them on both in Houston and back home in Virginia. The Richmond community, and the entire state, has rallied around the VCU Rams and we look forward to watching them continuing their incredible journey this weekend at the NCAA finals in Houston.”

“Similarly we are equally excited that we will unveil these 17 Richmond Slave Trail markers. Unveiling the 17 Richmond Slave Trail markers represents the hard work of many and deserves an appropriate ceremony. One of the most important groups that should be able to participate in this event is the VCU students who not only appreciate the history being made this weekend but also the history that these markers signify. In light of the Final Four festivities taking place this weekend, we decided it was best to move the date of the unveiling of 17 Richmond Slave Trail markers. All of us encourage everyone to join us on April.”

The keynote speaker will be The Honorable Dwight C. Jones, Mayor of Richmond. The event is free and open to the public and all Richmond citizens are invited and encouraged to attend. Free onsite parking is available.

This is another successful major project of the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission, the City of Richmond, and many partners in helping to preserve and present the history of slavery in Richmond. Speakers and guests attending include:

• The Honorable Robert F. McDonnell, Governor of Virginia• The Honorable Dwight C. Jones, Mayor of Richmond• The Honorable Members of Richmond City Council • Members of the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission• Other Elected Officials Will Be In Attendance

Partners in the project have included the: Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission, Richmond Department of Economic Development, Venture Richmond, The Future of Richmond’s Past, Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, City of Richmond Departments, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

Slavery The Richmond Slave Trail Markers will serve to recognize the regrettable time in our history when parts of the United States allowed the enslavement of fellow human beings and an estimated 8 percent of U.S. families owned slaves just before the U.S. Civil War. The site of the event and location of one of the 17 markers, Lumpkin's Slave Jail was the largest slave-holding facility in operation in Richmond, Virginia from 1840 until the end of the U.S. Civil War in 1865. During that time, Richmond was home to the largest domestic slave export business in the United States. The Confederate Army surrendered Richmond, the Capital of the Confederacy, on April 3, 1865.

Following shortly after the end of the U. S. Civil War, which ended in Virginia on April 9, 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States of America Constitution was adopted on December 6, 1865. This amendment officially abolished slavery. A precursor for this amendment was the Emancipation Proclamation, an Executive Order signed by President Abraham Lincoln, on January 1, 1863, which proclaimed the freedom of slaves living in states under Confederate control.

Lumpkin’s Slave JailLumpkin's Slave Jail was the largest slave holding facility in operation in Richmond, Virginia from 1840 until the end of the U.S. Civil War in 1865. During that time, Richmond was home to the largest domestic slave export business in the United States. Owned by Robert Lumpkin, the jail was a place that tens of thousands of African men, women and children were "stored" before being transported to slave owners living in states where slavery was legal. Following Lumpkin's death shortly after the Civil war, his common law widowed wife Mary Lumpkin, who was African-American, inherited the estate. In 1867, she leased the jail to Reverend Nathaniel Colver, who established a school for freed slaves at the site. Founded by the American Baptist Home Missionary Society and the National Theological Institute, the school grew into what is now Virginia Union University.

Richmond City Council Slave Trail CommissionThe Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission is a government entity that was established by Richmond City Council in 1998 by Resolution Number 98-R 102-107, as amended by Resolution Number 2004-R125-131. The Commission includes 17 members that are appointed by Council to serve for three year terms. Membership includes at least one member of Council (who is given first option of serving as Chairman) and three members of the Hope in the Cities of Richmond organization.

Since its creation, the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission has worked to help preserve and present the history of slavery in Richmond. Over the years, Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission projects have included:

• 2009 Development of the conceptual Richmond National Slavery Museum Richmond City Council provides annual staff assistance and financial support for the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission. Council staff support includes providing fiscal management, public information, writing, publication creation, graphic design, special event and project management, promotions and fundraising. Additional staff support is provided by the Richmond City Administration through the Richmond Department of Economic Development, which includes project engineering and management.

• 2007 Richmond International Unveiling of Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statue, erected in 2007 at 15th and E. Main Streets. Included design and construction of the Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statute plaza and erection of the statue.